STANDARDS were high as ploughmen and women showcased their skills in a competition in North Houghton.

On Saturday, October 28, competitors took to the field in the annual Stockbridge Growmore Club Ploughing Match.

Held this year in North Houghton by kind permission of the Busk family, there were various classes for all types of tractors and ploughs, from single-furrow horticultural ones to modern seven-furrow reversibles.

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Andover Advertiser: Stockbridge Growmore Club Ploughing Match championsAfter two days of heavy rain, it was doubtful that the event would go ahead, but despite a damp start, most of the day was fine and sunny – attracting a “good turnout” of competitors.

A spokesperson said: “The standard was high and gave the judges a difficult task determining the winners.”

The champion of conventional ploughman was Ian Smith from Anna Valley whilst the reversible champion, John Whitehorn, came from Landford Wood. Will Collins from Alderbury near Salisbury completed the list of champions by winning the vintage and classic class.

The spokesperson added: “There was good support from the trade with Hunt Forest Group sponsoring the champions' prize money, BCM sponsoring a ploughing class, and T H White, Olivers Claas and APM providing generous raffle prizes.”